Chapter 21: 21.
Chapter 21: 21.
The interview was simple and straightforward. Chen Kai took the lead and asked the necessary questions while Commander Liu and Manager Bo evaluates them real time. Under two hours, it was completed.
"Young master, you have a few deliveries." Commander Liu informed him after the candidates left and one of his subordinates came in with a clipboard.
Making his camera visible, the occupants of the room finally gained a look of him. The young man who was a stranger to Chen Kai carefully listened and scrutinized this young master with his own eyes.
"Visit me for lunch, all of you, including the handsome brother who is trying to figure me out so intensely...."
Manager Bo turned to the young man beside him and laughed lightly. He placed a hand on his shoulder and introduced him. His eyes lit up with pride as he spoke. "Young Master Chen, this is my nephew, my sister's only son, Xiao Wei. He has been my assistant for five years. He's very professional, proficient in his work and adaptable."
Chen Kai smiled. He liked this Property Manager. He knew when to play his cards right and can smell an opportunity in mere words.
"He's a good prospective if Manager Bo thinks so highly of him. I'm willing to give him a chance but only under his own volition."
The young man stepped forward solemnly with his arms plastered at his side. He faced the man in the video call clearly. His eyes showed sincerity which will be coated in his next words.
Chen Kai's smile was still on his face even in the carefree position he was in at the moment. He had a good feeling about the guy who Manager Bo praised. His bearing reminded him of his sworn brother when he was the emperor. For him to claim anyone on that level after the death of his little brother, was a great feat.
"I am Xiao Wei. Twenty five years old. XXXXX University graduate. I am fond of my talent in management and wish to widen that scope. Manager Bo gave me a chance as his assistant in the Real Estate sector but I can feel the bottleneck in my career. I wish to apply for the position of assistant to you." He looked at the man sitting majestically behind the desk in the video and couldn't help the curiosity brewing inside of him. This young master was close in age to him but he spoke and looked older than everyone in the room. This demeanor, matched with his good looks was lethal. He had a subtle charisma that made people place high expectations on him.
"This won't be the tallest tree in the forest," Chen Kai responded.
Xiao Wei's lips upturned slightly when he heard those words. It was easy to decipher what kind of man this young master is.
"Its best to be peaceful in the meadow."
Their words were easily understood by the older heads in the room. Chen Kai wasn't aiming to be at the top of the food chain when it comes to earning riches or gaining a status. He was comfortable in nurturing whatever business that caught his attention in a subtle manner. In other words, he was playing around with the money he had.
"Manager Bo. Commander Liu. Welcome my personal assistant, Xiao Wei. I expect you three for lunch. Bring along my packages, please."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The video call ended.
In the conference room, Manager Bo congratulated his nephew with much enthusiasm. The young man's indifferent look shifted slightly under his uncle's pampering words. Commander Liu placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, showing his support and pride.
"This young master is exactly as you said he will be." Xiao Wei spoke clearly and his words were enunciated well, allowing his speech to be magnetic and ear-pleasing.
"He's the type to be full of contradictions from my deduction. My only advice is to serve him well and don't betray him." Commander Liu gave him this advice after recalling the scene he experienced when Chen Kai received a call in their presence. What ordinary man can move from carefree and welcoming to murderous and dark in less than a second? Someone provoked that young man and they are probably going through retribution at the moment or will soon.
"Yes, uncle."
The trio left the room and went about their duties that awaited them.
~~~~~~~~
"Argon please notify the chef of the guests for lunch. It shall be informal."
{Yes, Young Master Kai.}
Four new staff members were chosen by him. They will be temporary staff until there's a change in his family dynamics. Carefully he made a plan for the household he was now in charge of.
"It seems it will be more beneficial to register myself as a Nanjing resident. It will save some time. But.... my circumstances...." Chen Kai was going over the things he needed to get done in order to support his growing staff. It was easy to do so after years of caring for his people across the stars. Its the paperwork that annoyed him.
This country was the same as his original home country. They also had a Hukou (household registration) system. Each registered resident has their own benefits according to the province. Currently he lived in the Jiangsu Province but his birth was registered in Zhejiang. He will have to transfer them soon.
He took note of the qualifications to become a resident of Jiangsu Province. A smile bloomed on his face. He was fully qualified. The only thing he needs was a copy of his Zhejiang registration. For this he frowned. If he had to move with the information he currently had, Chen Kai believed his existence was only surface deep in that family. His 'birth certificate' had both his mother and that man's name printed on it.
"There's no need to use that one anymore. I will use the real one." His eyes moved to the framed photo of his mother on the bookshelf parallel to him. Hidden behind the frame was a laminated birth certificate with only his mother's name on it. It was during his packing and the memories he got knowledge of it.
"The father's name is no longer needed. I can fast forward everything here." Moving with that momentum, he accessed the online government site to speed up the process. While doing this, he felt the need to sever ties completely than to simply ignore the family that housed him. Its best to do so.
What man won't be relieved to get rid of the child who had no blood relation to him?
Resentment will be harbored over the years, leading to hateful thoughts.
He can recall memories of the man being ridiculed of wearing a green hat when Chen Kai's distinctive features were clear to see. Since young, he had the appearance of a very beautiful child. His sharp eyebrows, his creamy skin and mesmerizing black eyes along the years grew from adorably beautiful to elegantly handsome. His mother's temperament and beauty were clear in his growth but the neighbors or relatives never saw similarities of his 'father.'
The mockery became worse when he remarried and fathered the two children.
It was no longer a secret hence his treatment at that house. The wife and kids were the ones who took the lead in the verbal and physical abuse but he simply looked on. Chen Kai didn't blame him for his misfortune, he was resentful of the man. His mother placed him in his care but he allowed them to be like that.
Wasn't that trampling on her trust?
"Its my life now. I should do as I please and that's to start cleanly in Nanjing," he muttered. The veiled anger was barely heard but it was there.
There was a faint prodding for him to do so quickly. He couldn't explain it but he didn't ignore it.
Getting back his momentum, he worked with the aid of Argon to strengthen his foundation as the master of the Sleeping Dragon Villa. Everything was in his name, all he needed to do was continue with the managing of the estate and make changes to his liking.
Contracts were made. Contacts were established. Money was placed and awaited handling.
Checking the time, he took note of it and gathered everything that he needed then moved to the main area of the house. His steps led him to the informal living room that led to the large well equipped kitchen. Chef Mu was happily preparing -in his words - 'first family feast' when he arrived.
"How is everything? Did you prepare what you need from this day on?" Chen Kai asked aloud as he settled on the sofa.
"I haven't completed it yet. After the meal, I will finalize it." The chef was excited to freely stock the kitchen and add whatever useful stuff he or the young master will need.
"Hmmm, your preparations made me think of the mini-bars in the house. I think I will go shopping after lunch." He had a high alcohol tolerance and loved to collect liqueurs that interest him or have a good history. It will be fun to simply go shopping for himself.
"You're at an age to discover your likes. There's no one to still your hand and tell you of a limit. Isn't life meant to be enjoyed?" Chef Mu said this with a fatherly smile. Age brings wisdom and paired with the role of a father, the chef can tell when someone has a lot on their mind or simply stuck at a point in life.
The young master was at a turning point and the older heads saw this from the moment they met him. This is why they adopted a patient attitude with their new boss. He will do things that will need their support.
Chef Mu's words resonated with Chen Kai wholly. He smiled and silently agreed with the older man. He was financially secure, had a roof over his head, had enough to fill his belly and completed his higher education - wasn't it right to enjoy his days on this star?
Switching on the tv to play some Western Music he took a liking to, he waited on his guests and chatted with the girls in the WeChat group they pulled him in. At times the chat long is filled with them talking about any and everything, quick updates on job hunting, their home life and some trends. Thanks to them, Chen Kai became immersed in the entertainment life.
Have fun.
When was the last time he heard or did that?
An impulse took over him.
Kai: Movie date by 5, tomorrow?
Su Lian: YES!!
Da Mei: At least let his message rest for a minute before you answer. What would he think of you?
Lin Fa: Adorable. Brother Chen is straightforward like that.
Ye Jun: She's probably blushing now.
Chen Kai was grinning at the pace of the conversation. One sentence can have multiple dialogues stemming from it. He also didn't mind Su Lian's attachment? to him. The past soul noticed it and kept her at arms length due to their social position and his relationship with Zhang Rui. Presently, he didn't mind it. There was an attraction from the past soul and him. Without words from either side, they were mutually letting it grow.
A natural flow of things is best.
Kai: Hmmm. So I have one confirmation to go to the movies with me. *sigh* Here I thought it will be good to do some shopping before the movies. Su Lian will be so lucky.
Ye Jun: Let's not be hasty here, Brother Chen. We were thinking of our schedule.
Lin Fa: Yes. Yes. These things must be carefully considered.
Kai: I'm still not seeing the extra three confirmation.
Da Mei: Yes!
Ye Jun: Yes!
Lin Fa: Yes!
Su Lian: Brother Chen, its okay for a simple movie. Don't spoil us too much.
A soft smile was on his lips when he read Su Lian's double meaning sentence. Considerate - that word popped into his head when he got her meaning.
Kai: Trust me. Its all within my reach. This is my treat. Your job is to enjoy. Okay?
Positive replies filled the chat before they made plans for the next day.
During their off beat conversation, a call came in. The unlisted number seemed familiar to him which led him to answer without worry.
"Hello."
"Hello, Student Chen Kai. This is Teacher Dai, the head of the Disciplinary Department."
"Hello Teacher Dai. How can I help you?" His tone wasn't arrogant nor meek. He kept a calm tone, trying to hide the amusement in his voice.
He couldn't believe those idiots went this route. What were they trying to achieve? Sympathy? What kind of White Lotus act was this?
Ha!
This was a top tier university who treated everyone like the adults they are. They weren't a babysitting club.
"I wish to inform you that your attendance his needed at a meeting that stemmed from serious allegations from your classmates. Due to the severity of the allegations, this may stain your record. Everyone is given a chance to share their grievances and prove their innocence. The meeting is schedule for 10am tomorrow. Room 108 in the Eastern Faculty Building." Teacher Dai was stern in his speech to carry across the seriousness of the meeting. He knew of the accusers animosity towards this student but everything must be done fairly.
"Allegations? Can you tell me the classmates who accused me of a crime, Teacher Dai? I can't recall crossing any of them. We've all been in the same classes for four years. This is baffling."
Teacher Dai sighed softly at the innocent and confused voice of the young man. To be involved in such things before graduation will affect anyone.
"Two of the three are your dorm mates. Lin Shen and Li Feng. The other is Miss Zhang Rui," Teacher Dai answered politely.
"My dorm brothers and ex girl friend." Chen Kai laughed bitterly. "Thank you, Teacher Dai. I don't know what I did but I will attend this meeting." He made sure that disappointment and sorrow were heard in his voice when he thanked the teacher.
It was expected.
Teacher Dai can only sigh in pity when he heard the young man's dejected voice. 'Poor soul,' he lamented inwardly.
"Yes. I will see you tomorrow."
Chen Kai ended the call and returned to the WeChat group. Like a switch, his gloomy, heartbroken face disappeared and he was once again in bright smiles.
Kai: I got a thing at school tomorrow. How about we meet up there? The meeting is at ten.
Da Mei: We haven't left the dorms yet so that will be ideal.
Lin Fa: According to the time, we can all check out a few apartments in the area during our day out. What do you think Brother Chen?
Kai: I'll be the most envied guy tomorrow. I accept this role.
Su Lian: Silly.
Kai: :D You're laughing.
Su Lian: Very loudly.
Ye Jun: Don't mind us. We're just light bulbs hanging around.
Kai: These lightbulbs should be quiet, don't you think?
Again, as he was about to go further and tease a certain young lady, another call came in.
"This is why assistants are treasured. They can deal with calls like these," he murmured. The name on the screen soured his mood greatly.
Suppressing his carefree attitude, he answered the call.
"Hello, sir."
"So you can answer his call and not mine. How can you be so ungrateful and disrespectful to your elders?!" This contemptuous voice was hard to forget. The viper tongue woman on the other end was his 'father's' wife. She had a strong personality, a sharp tongue and greedy heart.
"I wasn't ignoring your calls outright. Your number was black listed. How can I help you, maam?" Chen Kai's lazy and unbothered tone angered her. She hated that she can never get a reaction from him. Everything about the child irked her.
"You!"
"Yes. This is me. Now that we've confirmed my being, we can talk about why you called. This is a very heavy time for me."
"You Sniveling little bastard of a whore -"
Chen Kai ended the call immediately . His expression was thunderous as he looked at the call log. He may not have much attachment to this body's mother but she gave life to 'Chen Kai'. No one should stain her image. From the memories, he knew how much love she had for her son. How dare that ladder stepping woman curse her name?
"I need to sever it all quickly," he whispered.
Judging by the wife's action of stealing money from his old account and the recollection of her notoriety, it won't be wrong to say that she will pull him into a scheme for a good position in society. She played on his Academic achievements to gain envious gazes from their neighborhood while putting her son up on a pedestal.
If she finds out about his current wealth, she will smoothly jump into her role as a moral kidnapper.
Chen Kai disliked that side of people but how can he avoid it. Its common among the masses. This innate ability was on the same level of toxic filial piety. That woman had both of them.
To have an unbothered life, he needed to get rid of such people.
"Young master, lunch is ready!"
Chef Mu's declaration was followed by Argon's announcement.
{Your visitors have arrived, Young Master Kai.}
Chen Kai turned to the chef. "You can command the robot assigned to you now. I had Argon configure it to your style of work. It has all the training as an attendant. Follow the prompt and your job will be easier."
The old man looked at the shoulder height robot with a child like gleam. Technology was advanced when it came to robots for traditional manual labor. In addition to robots to help with light cleaning, it had two assigned for the kitchen and one assigned to the master of the house. Hence the limited staff he accepted.
"Thank you, young master." The old man was overjoyed, fiddling with the options of the robot.
"Argon, please utilize A-1 for physical support. Tend to the visitors and lead them to my position."
{Yes, Young Master Kai}
Going back to the group chat, he was once again relaxed.